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Worcester’s Community Mosaic
Commissioned by the Worcester Art Museum
in Worcester, Massachusetts. This 50’ long by 8’
high ceramic tile mosaic mural is located at the museum’s
Lancaster Street entrance. The images in the mosaic depict the
history and identity of the community of Worcester. For example,
the heart in the center refers to the city being the “Heart
of the Commonwealth”. The yellow landscape represents
the seven hills surrounding the area. The hands of diversity
represent those who came and settled there. The ‘triple-decker’
with clothesline is the typical historic style home found throughout
the city. Robert Goddard’s rocket is included which was
invented in Worcester along with so many other notorious inventions.
The symbols of the pansies, tomatoes, leaves, and barren trees
depict the four seasons of New England. There are over 700 white
tiles located in the Grecian key border pattern of the mosaic,
which was designed after the frieze of the original 19th century
museum building. These tiles were painted by the citizens of
Worcester and depict symbols of “community” to those
individuals who painted them. This project helped launch one
of the museum’s most important exhibitions, “Antioch:
The Lost Ancient City”, a complete collection of Roman
mosaics. This project was funded by the National
Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the Massachusetts Arts Council,
and the Fallon Foundation. Emerson
was the designer and manager of the entire project that involved
over 1000 volunteers from all over the community. Further information
can be found on the museums website at www.Worcesterart.org
and search for “Community Mosaic.” Completed September
2000. |
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